Director/Physiotherapist

Qualifications
Richard graduated as a Physiotherapist at the University of South Australia in 1990 and completed a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Health and Safety Management [OHSM] at the University of Adelaide in July 2011, This included ‘Advanced Ergonomics’ and a research project involving implementation of a ‘Participative Ergonomics Program’ at an Adelaide public hospital. Richard qualified as a Specialist Occupational Health Physiotherapist and fellow of the Australian College of Physiotherapists (ACP) in 2011.

Work Experience

Richard has had extensive Physiotherapy experience in both private and hospital settings, here and in the UK and has particular interest in work injury prevention and occupational rehabilitation. Richard has also held several ‘on-site Physiotherapist’ positions, providing injury treatment, injury management, rehabilitation and injury prevention services with several employers in a range of industries including healthcare, underground mining, car manufacturing, packaging and defence. He has also supervised a team of Physiotherapists providing ‘on-site’ physiotherapy services for a number of employers. In early 2006, Richard had key involvement in the collaborative development and implementation of an in-house early intervention injury management program at GM Holden.

As owner/director of Aim Physiotherapy and Work Health Solutions, Richard currently provides general Physiotherapy, sports injury and occupational health services to local communities is 3 suburban Adelaide locations [Toorak Gardens, Hillcrest and Windsor Gardens], in addition to a range of injury management and injury prevention consulting services across South Australia.

Awards

In February 2013, Richard was announced winner of the Safety Institute of Australia’s national OHS Education Award [Post-graduate category].  

Richard was also awarded “best free paper presentation” in the occupational health stream at the 2011 APA National conference [Brisbane Convention Centre] for the presentation of his research findings.

Training / Education contributions

Richard was an invited presenter at the University of South Australia’s [UniSA] post graduate course in ‘Work Injury Management’ in February 2013. He was engaged by UniSA as an External Thesis examiner in 2012 and by the University of Adelaide as an assignment marker and tutor for the Ergonomics course in the 2012 post-graduate OHSM program.

Richard has provided injury prevention training programs to industry over many years, including ergonomics, work health and safety management, manual task risk assessment and management and manual handling training programs. He been an accredited trainer for Jobfit Systems International Pty Ltd (http://www.jobfitsystem.com) since 2011, providing training in  ‘Job & Task Analysis’ & ‘Worker Functional assessment’ to Physiotherapists and Occupational therapists in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, Auckland & Wellington

Richard is an elected member of the Council for the ACP, which runs the specialist training program for Physiotherapists in Australia. He was Co-Chair of the organising committee for the APA’s ‘Business and Leadership Symposium held in Adelaide in July 2012. He is the chair of the Occupational Health Physiotherapy Australia (OHPA) group’s ‘scientific program organising committee’ for the APA’s biannual conference, to be held in Melbourne in September 2013.

Professional associations
As an engaged member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA), Richard has served as the Chair of the APA’s National Occupational Health Group since 2009 and a National Advisory Council representative from 2006 to 2012.  He is also a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society of Australia (HFESA). Richard has contributed to a number of important APA projects including the development of Occupational Rehabilitation Position Statement and WorkCover SA’s Guidelines on Functional Capacity Assessments. He was the lead author in the APA’s Position Statement and background paper on ‘The Ageing Australian Work Force and Physiotherapy’.

•  The ageing Australian workforce - APA Position Statement 
• The ageing Australian Workforce - APA Background Paper
• The role of the physiotherapist in occupational rehabilitation - APA Position Statement.

Physiotherapist

Nick graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. He is currently registered with the Physiotherapy Board of South Australia and a member of the Australian Physiotherapists Association (APA). During his education he quickly developed a passion for musculoskeletal physiotherapy and enjoys the hands on approach and ability to work directly with clients this field offers. He is an enthusiastic person and strives to reach the goals identified by clients using a diverse range of therapy techniques.  

In his spare time Nick plays football for St Ignatius Old Collegians in the division 2 of the amateur metro football league and follows his favourite football teams Collingwood and Liverpool zealously. He also spends a great deal of time and money adding to his music collection and enjoys watching live gigs and going to music festivals.

Physiotherapist

Varunn is a sports and musculoskeletal physiotherapist. He has worked in private practice with varied case loads, sporting teams, hospitals and events including the Australasian Masters Games.

Varunn completed a Masters of Orthopaedics, Sports and Manual Physiotherapy at the University of South Australia in 2006. Since completing his Post-graduate study, Varunn has worked in private practice in Adelaide. He has strong focus on client specific exercises along with a hands-on physiotherapy approach for sustainable recovery. Varunn is motivated and passionate about his work, which is reflected in his service delivery and his commitment to the task at hand.

While working in private practice, Varunn has gained experience in many aspects of physiotherapy including sports injures, motor vehicle injuries and work injuries.

In recent years he has developed a strong interest in occupational health physiotherapy and rehabilitation. Varunn’s experience includes a range of work-related assessment and rehabilitation services such as job analysis, worksite assessments, functional capacity evaluation and work hardening programs that help facilitate safe and sustainable return to work for injured workers. He also has a strong focus on injury prevention and assists employer’s manage their risks and liabilities through ergonomic assessments, manual handling training and education regarding a range of injury prevention, early intervention rehabilitation and return to work strategies.

Physiotherapist

Jenna graduated from the University of South Australia with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy. She is a registered Physiotherapist with the Australian Physiotherapy Board and a member of the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Jenna is interested in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy and enjoys the challenges of treating musculoskeletal injuries. In 2012, Jenna was a sports trainer for the Pembroke Old Scholars Football Club and is the physiotherapist for the North Adelaide Football Club Junior teams in 2013. She hopes to return to University to complete a Masters degree in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy in the coming years.

Jenna enjoys travelling and hopes to spend a large portion of her discretionary income and time travelling around the world, adding to the monetary contribution she has already made to the economies of Canada, USA, Thailand and New Zealand. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her friends and reading.  

Physiotherapist

Philippa completed her Masters in Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry)at the University of South Australia. Prior to qualifying as a Physiotherapist, Philippa completed a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Dance) at Tabor Adelaide. Philippa  has previously worked for Novita Children’s Services as a physiotherapist, looking after children with physical disabilities. She has always had a keen interest in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and transition to private practice was a natural fit. Her dance background has provided Philippa with an excellent understanding of human movement and function and the importance of exercise.

She is a hard worker, who always seeks to do the best for her clients and she tailors her approach to meet their individual needs and goals. In the future, Philippa would like to complete a Masters in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy. 

Remedial Massage Therapist

Lucy joined the aim Physiotherapy team in October 2011 as a remedial massage therapist and has also recently undertaken a receptionist role with the clinic. She graduated from the Australian College of Massage in November 2010 with a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy Practice and a Diploma in Remedial Massage Therapy. Her modalities include remedial, sports, lymphatic and recovery massage. In August 2011 she became a remedial member of the Australian Association of Massage Therapists (AAMT).

Lucy is also a student at the University of Adelaide, where she is completing a Bachelor of Environmental Policy and Management and a Major in French Studies. In her spare time Lucy plays hockey for Forestville Hockey Club and is a volunteer sports massage therapist for the senior squad at North Adelaide Football Club. 

Practice Manager

Alicia joined the Aim Physiotherapy team in April 2012 in the role of a Receptionist/Administration Assistant. She has since then become the clinics’ Assistant Practice Manager and most recently, Practice Manager. Alicia is currently studying Frontline Management part-time to help develop her leadership and management skills and assist with her new role.

Along with her work and study, Alicia is kept busy at home by her young Border Collie, Indi, who always seems to be full of energy and getting up to mischief. She enjoys spending time exercising Indi, taking her to the beach or park whenever she gets the chance. Alicia believes she has added to the existing positive environment at Aim Physiotherapy and is enjoying the challenges of her new role.

Receptionist

Inara started work with Aim Physiotherapy in January 2012.  She is currently working in a part-time role after school at the Oakden and Toorak gardens clinics.

Inara is undertaking year 12 at Marryatville High School.  She holds the position of liaison officer on the student Representative Council.  Inara particularly enjoys drama and in 2011, travelled to Singapore as part of a student exchange program, where she performed in a school play.  Inara has also played in the school touch football team over the past 4 years and has previously played competitive lacrosse in a club competition over a five-year period.

Receptionist

Leanne joined Aim Physiotherapy in October, 2011, in the role of Receptionist, and has also acted as assistant Practice Manager. Leanne has previously been employed in numerous Reception/Administrative positions in many varying fields,  the most significant  being at the Courts Administration Authority in the role of Senior Customer Service Officer/Financial Assessor.

Leanne has two daughters who keep her exceptionally busy.  On weekends, she loves to spend time with them, and particularly enjoys taking them and their English Staffie, Bundy, to the dog park, riding their bikes at the bike track and going to the playground. Leanne also enjoys family camping holidays with a group of friends.  She is also  extremely interested in fitness and health and enjoys going to the gym.  Her favourite class is RPM and she also enjoys weight training.  Leanne would like to work as a personal trainer in the future and would one day love to run her own fitness centre.

Receptionist

Karolina started work with Aim Physiotherapy in March 2012 in  the role of receptionist at the Toorak Gardens, Oakden and Windsor Gardens clinics.  She absolutely loves working with the Aim Physiotherapy team and is extremely happy to be a part of their group. 

In addition to her work at Aim Physiotherapy, Karolina is currently studying The Bachelor of Health Sciences at The University of Adelaide. She has a deep interest in studying human movement, physiology and nutrition. She is fluent in Polish and very much enjoys providing people with good quality customer service.

Karolina keeps a busy lifestyle and always finds time to keep a healthy diet and she exercises regularly, up to five days a week, which she enjoys very much. She loves exercising with friends and attending group class exercises as she finds these very motivating and fun.

Receptionist

Lauren joined the Aim Physiotherapy team in January 2012. She works after school twice a week as a part time job as the receptionist at the Toorak Gardens clinic. She is currently completing year 12 where she is studying subjects that will hopefully link her into a future career as a Physiotherapist and/or Physical Education teacher.

Lauren has played Touch Football for the past eight years. She is currently playing for her school and for Central Scorpions Club in the open women’s competition. She represented Queensland in 2008 and South Australia in 2010 and 2011. Lauren has also represented Australia in the 2008 Beijing Olympic Orchestra playing Flute.

Receptionist

Sharon joined the Aim Physiotherapy & Work Health Solution team in December 2012. She is currently undertaking Diploma of Enrolled Nursing at Equals International. She will be furthering her studies at University of South Australia in 2014 to complete a Bachelor Degree in Nursing. She hopes to also complete her Bachelor Degree in Management & Marketing in the not too distant future. Sharon has a passion for both business and medicine and hopes to acquire a career that allows her to combine both these passions.

Work and study aside, Sharon is an avid boxer and does outdoor boxing classes 3 to 4 times a week. Being a health conscious person that she is, Sharon tries to keep an active and healthy lifestyle. In her downtime, she enjoys catching up with friends and going for walks on the beach or just lounge around at home chatting with her housemates. She also has a passion for travelling and treats herself to a birthday trip each year to different parts of Australia to explore and experience all that this beautiful country has to offer.

Receptionist

Amelia joined the Aim Physiotherapy team in February 2013 in the role of receptionist at the Oakden clinic. Amelia has previously worked as a Beauty Therapist for 12 years and has always loved interacting with people and strongly believes in providing quality customer service to all those she encounters. Looking to move her focus to the Reception/administrative area, Amelia completed a Medical Reception course and has since then thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Aim Physiotherapy team.

Amelia has a young daughter who keeps her busy when she’s not at work. Her toddler has a very full social life and their days are often spent with friends, on play dates or having fun feeding the ducks at the park.

Receptionist

Meredith joined the Aim Physiotherapy team in February 2013 in the role of Receptionist; she works at the Oakden and Windsor Gardens Clinics. Her previous work experiences have been varied. She worked as a Teacher for 8 years and a Volunteer Manager for 7 years. Her most recent work has been as Receptionist in the Allied Health area for the past 4 years. Meredith has completed and facilitated courses in Grief Management, desiring to be supportive in any way she can to those who are hurting. Meredith loves administration and people and has found working for Aim enables her to combine all of the above.

Meredith is happily married with 2 boys (men) who no longer live at home. She attends an Active Circuit class at the Hampstead Centre twice a week and walks when she can. In her spare time she loves to play bridge, read, cross stitch and make cards.